Are you in favor of scrapping the NYC Holden Cup competition ??

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National Youth Competition to be scrapped as officials go back to the drawing board

By Adrian Prozenko

August 9, 2014 - 10:00PM

The National Youth Competition is set to be scrapped as part of a massive overhaul of the pathways to NRL progression.

The under-20s competition was ushered in with much fanfare in 2008, billed as the chance to showcase the best young talent in the game.

But the Holden Cup will cease to exist when the current broadcast deal concludes at the end of 2017 and replaced by age-based competitions aligned with NSW and Queensland Cup teams.

The ARLC has conducted extensive research on the current pathways to the elite level and there is a belief the NYC isn't serving as the best possible transition from elite junior to first grader.

It's understood the new state-based competitions would feature under-18s and under-20s age groups, which would then feed talent through to the current open-age NSW and Queensland Cup competitions.

The plan is for the champion team from each state to play off on grand final day, as will be the case when the VB Cup and Intrust Super Cup winners will for the first time in October.

"That is certainly something we'll look at as part of the next broadcast rights agreement," an NRL spokesperson said.

One of the problems plaguing the current NYC tournament is the exorbitant running costs.

This round alone, six U20s teams – the Bulldogs, Tigers, Roosters, Eels, Raiders and Storm – will travel interstate, while the Sharks head across the Tasman to take on the Warriors.

The travel and accommodation costs are a huge impost to clubs, many which are already struggling financially.

Under the new system, there will be huge savings almost all games will be played along state lines.

The overhaul will also address concerns that many talented youngsters were leaving the game if they didn't transition straight from NYC to the NRL.

Another concern about the current system is that the best young players aren't on show in the under-20s anyways, as those poised to get a call up to first grade were being blooded against seasoned players in the NSW Cup to prepare them for the rigours of the big time.

Even before the NYC was introduced, there were concerns that it wouldn't serve its purpose.

Back in 2007, Des Hasler predicted it would be a "glorified SG Ball competition", with fellow coaches Wayne Bennett, Neil Henry and Ivan Cleary outspoken about their preference for blooding their gun juniors in the open-age competitions.

Holden's sponsorship, along with broadcast commitments, mean there can be no changes for another two-and-a-half years.

However, the ARLC believe the changes will further boost the profile of the state-based competitions while still giving broadcasters an attractive television product.

NYC initiatives, such as the 'no work, no study, no play' edict, are likely to remain to ensure juniors have post-football careers to fall back on.

One of the challenges for the League is than not every NRL club has its own NSW or Queensland Cup affiliate. Melbourne and Cronulla, for instance, both provide players for the Sharks' feeder club side.

However, that situation could soon change as Cronulla are in negotiations to partner with Newtown from next season.

The Jets' nine-year association with the Roosters will soon come to an end after the premiers opted to link with Wyong to give them a crack at the talent on the Central Coast.

Cronulla CEO Steve Noyce has a good relationship with Jets officials from his time at the Roosters and there is a possibility a Sharks-Jets association could be formalised by the end of the week.

It's been a failure when it comes to producing NRL players, but I like watching it.
Young guys just pick up bad habits in defense when they aren't tested by better players.
Anyone 18 or older who is good enough needs to play seniors.

The under-20s competition is set to be scrapped at the end of next season

DAVID RICCIO

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

JUNE 07, 2015 12:00AM

THE under-20s National Youth League Holden Cup competition could be scrapped at the end of next season with it’s future to be discussed at a meeting of club chief executives next week.

The financial stress and weekly logistic strain on clubs, coupled with what value it is worth to Holden Cup broadcaster Fox Sports ahead of a new TV broadcast deal in 2017 has created serious discussion among NRL powerbrokers that the 20s competition is on borrowed time.

All 16 NRL chief executives will meet on Thursday at Sydney Olympic Park where the agenda will be led by NRL chief executive Dave Smith.

The Sunday Telegraph has been told the future of the under-20s competition will feature as a point of discussion with a 28 per cent decline in TV viewers between 2014 and 2015.

Average audiences have been 18,800 this Holden Cup season.Introduced in 2008, the Holden Cup competition was originally named the Toyota Cup.

It was heralded as an opportunity for young footballers to gain exposure on a far greater level and a vital tool in talent adjusting to the demands of professional football.

It should go back to under 19s Jersey Flegg and anyone good enough should play reserve grade at 20.
That would save a lot of money and get a lot of kids into jobs a year earlier when it's clear they aren't going to be professional footballers.